When did drivers become.... nice?

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

I believe this is the case. Back when I first began driving on a regular basis in 1991, drivers seemed to be far more aggressive than they are today. It really is a world of difference in my opinion compared to what it was back then -- I could go on and on with stories such as trying to merge into traffic from an on-ramp into the slow lane at 50 mph and getting the high beam treatment although I was merely 5 mph below the speed limit and the freeway had 4 other lanes to choose from, and so on. These days people are probably more so afraid of road-ragers who will follow you home and shoot you, beat your head in with a tire iron, etc. for showing unwarranted aggression.

That was what I was getting at. Driving in LA is a different experience then it was two decades ago.

In my experience worse drivers are:
Miami Florida (old people not paying attention)
Dallas (big pickup trucks going 90mph and always cutting you off)
Baltimore
NYC
Orlando (&#*@!#$% tourists!)
LA area

[Mr. Opinionated]

Originally Posted by thebordella

This might not be a popular opinion but people who think LA drivers are rude and aggressive really need to travel more. Maybe they are aggressive by chill west coast standards, but LA drivers and their spacey nonchalance would get them rammed into a pulp in at least several east coast cities. And that's just the U.S.

I have seen much more inconsiderate rudeness in Sacramento and SF than I did in 45 years of driving, 14 of it commercial, in Los Angeles. Sure L.A. drivers can be speedy and impatient. But noticably more courteous than in the before mentioned areas as they do wait for you to cross without honking or speeding up as if only people in vehicles are allowed to access the roadways. There is a certain etiquette unique to the area.

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

I'm only nice not because I'm a nice driver, but because I want to avoid confrontation and high blood pressure. So some jerk cuts me off... well I could flip the bird and honk the horn, but it only costs me maybe 10-20 seconds out of my life. Or you're a jaywalking idiot I just almost killed, well, the deed is already done. Am I gonna waste my time chasing you down and lecturing you, or am I going to get on with my day and forget it about it.

I agree with that sensible outlook and because defensive driving training means that the safety of others and myself matters to me. Hurrying and pushing along only increases your chance of a citation or worse, a bad accident.

[ccm123]

I would add Houston, Texas and Phoenix, AZ (many drivers from LA have moved there) to this list. I have found that the drivers in Seattle are the most courteous.

Originally Posted by hamellr

That was what I was getting at. Driving in LA is a different experience then it was two decades ago.

In my experience worse drivers are:
Miami Florida (old people not paying attention)
Dallas (big pickup trucks going 90mph and always cutting you off)
Baltimore
NYC
Orlando (&#*@!#$% tourists!)
LA area

[eastontracks]

agreed. Houston drivers are rude, and very aggressive for no reason. wish it was like LA's traffic.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by eastontracks

agreed. Houston drivers are rude, and very aggressive for no reason. wish it was like LA's traffic.

Do they try to bash each other with their hood mounted bull horns?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by ccm123

I have found that the drivers in Seattle are the most courteous.

Sure, when they don't have their faces buried in books, and when they aren't tailgating.

[hamellr]

Ah yes, Houston. Forgot to add them. I sorta lump them in with Dallas drivers though, they have similar habits.

Either way, those are two cities where I truly have been afraid to drive.

[eastontracks]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

Do they try to bash each other with their hood mounted bull horns?

yup, but i usually just wave my cowboy hat at em and let them get their way. or take my horse through trails next time out.

[timtemtym]

It cracks me up, my friends and family in Houston all drive much larger cars/trucks/SUVs, they think nothing of driving 30 miles each way to work or a mall they like across town or to visit friends at an ugly brown beach with brown water an hour away. Yet! They think I'm crazy for living in LA because gas here averages 70-90cents more per gallon. I always point out that I fill up once every two weeks and don't need to drive crazy distances and I think in general people here keep their life radii much shorter than Texans. But they still say, "Oh I couldn't pay $4 a gallon!" or they post a pic of their $3.20/gallon gas and ask if I miss Texas. Nope, no sir I do not.

[HaemophilusAphrophilus]

Originally Posted by PDF

I don't know. I've only been to DC and NY as far as major East coast cities go, but I've never had a problem with aggressive drivers until I moved here. Maybe drivers in the northeast are just more used to pedestrians, and LA drivers are very impatient?

I found NY drivers to be waaaay more aggressive. I dont think Ive had more than a few bad encounters over 7 years here. Really the most annoying thing is occasionally when crossing the street I can see that the person turning right is looking more to the other side at oncoming traffic, and it doesnt really bother me much. If they pull up too far I just walk behind the first car and its no big deal. I dont think Ive had a bad encounter with anything that didnt involve a taxi, the cab drivers can be nuts